Drying and disinfecting powder



Patented July 14, 1936 UNITED STATES DRYING AND DISINFECTING POWDER Arthur J. Hettel, Rochester, NY.

No Drawing. Application DecemberlZ, 1934, Serial No. 757,173

4 Claims.

The object of this invention is to provide a powder to be used by undertakers for hardening, drying, preserving, disinfecting and covering portions of the body in preparing the body for burial.

It is well known that embalming is the general practice in preparing bodies for burial. Various kinds of well known embalming solutions are used for this purpose. These solutions are injected into the body. To get these embalming solutions into the body, it is necessary to make one or more incisions in the body, which opens an artery and a vein, and the embalming fluid is then injected into the artery, driving out the blood. When the embalming operation has been completed the incision must be sewed up, but ordinarily there would be a leakage through the incision. My powder is adapted to be inserted in the incision before it is closed up, and it will harden in the incision and dry up the tissues and effectually prevent leakage of fluids.

In case of an autopsy, the cavity or cavities in the trunk of the body are opened by an incision, and the internal organs are examined. The body is then embalmed, after which there is more or less fluid in the cavity of the body that must then be removed. After this fluid is removed, this hardening powder is applied to the organs in the cavity of the body, and is even mixed with them, and is applied to the inner surface of the body. This powder absorbs the moisture from the organs, hardening both the organs and the powder. The incision can then be closed up.

This powder is also adapted to be used on the surface of the body in case of cancer, gangrene, dropsy, abscesses, ulcers, burned cases, and other similar conditions, or where the body has been mutilated.

For this purpose, my invention consists of a composition of matter of the following elements, the elements being mixed together in the proportion by weight stated below:

Per cent (1) Trioxymethylene 7.6 (2) Ammonium alum 3.4 (3) Magnesium sulphate 4.2 (4) Calcined gypsum 22 (5) Pumice 31.4 (6) Hydrated lime 3.4 (7) Graded marble 27.5 (8) Soap bark .42 (9) Calcium stearate .08

It will be understood that these proportions may be varied from within considerable limits without departing from the spirit or range of my invention.

In the above formula the elements that are at the head of the list are relatively the most important. For these there are the fewest equivalents. The items at the end of the list are relatively less important and may be omitted or replaced by equivalents without seriously impairing the efiectiveness of the composition.

The first element is chiefly important as a sterilizer and disinfectant.

The second and third elements are important for the purpose of absorbing moisture, with incidental advantages of sterilization and preserving. The first, second and third elements are also important in that they harden or tend to harden the composition, and the tissues with which they come in contact.

The fourth element is important because it absorbs moisture and hardens and forms a base for the composition that does not crack.

The fifth element, pumice, is light as compared with some of the other elements and gives volume to the composition, and is a good absorbent as well, and tends to whiten the resulting composition.

The sixth element, lime, serves to heat up the composition as soon as the water is applied to it, and quickens the setting, and liberates the gas from the first element.

The seventh element, graded marble, is a good filler and tends to whiten the resulting composition and expands as the mixture sets and neutralizes the tendency of the fourth element to shrink.

The eighth element, soap bark, is desirable to somewhat retard the speed of setting of the composition.

The ninth element, calcium stearate, is a nonessential waterproofing material and accentuates the water resisting qualities in the other elements used.

This powder or composition will not absorb moisture from the atmosphere, and will therefore remain a powder, and will not cake or solidify when exposed to the air under ordinary conditions for a long period of time.

It is not poisonous or irritating to the hands of the operators or undertakers that use it in the regular course of business. It does not harm living tissues, but is neutral, beneficial in its effect, or healing in its effect on living tissue.

I claim:

1. A drying and disinfecting powder composed of trioxymethylene, ammonium alum, and magnesium sulphate ground and mixed in suitable proportions with suitable setting, hardening, and moisture absorbing elements.

2. A drying and disinfecting powder composed 0 of the following elements ground and mixed in the following proportions:

Per cent Trioxymethylene 7.6 Ammonium alum 3.4 Magnesium sulphate 4.2 Calcined gypsum 22 Pumice 3L4 Hydrated lime 3:4 Graded marble 27.5 Soap bark :42 Calcium stearate =08 3. A drying and disinfecting powder composed of trioxymethylene, ammonium alum, magnesium sulphate, calcined gypsum, pumice, hydrated lime, graded marble, together with a suitable retarder.

'4. A drying and disinfecting powder composed of trioxymethylene, ammonium alum, magnesium sulphate, calcined gypsum, pumice, hydrated lime,/graded ma;rble, together with a suitable retarder and waterproofing element.

ARTHUR J. HETTEL. 

